“Who believe in the unseen, establish prayer and spend out of what We have provided for them.” Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 3.
As indicated by the previous verse a muslim will only be rightly guided by the Holy Quran after they adopt piety. Chapter 2 Al Baqarah, verse 2:
“This is the Book about which there is no doubt, a guidance for those conscious of Allah.”
Therefore, the final characteristic of righteousness mentioned in verse 3 is spending one’s wealth in ways which please Allah, the Exalted. This has been extensively discussed over eleven audio/video podcasts titled PodSeries: Charity, which are available via the following links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3pqLLZW6ew&list=PLt1Vizm7rRKZ6g3czw3mRDjecN0a5ELpA and https://www.facebook.com/watch/108539593905598/579648195948389
But to sum up, this verse does not only indicate charity to the needy but any lawful spending which involves fulfilling the responsibilities given by Allah, the Exalted, such as spending on the needs of one’s family without waste or extravagance. This has been confirmed in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 4006. In addition, it does not only include the obligatory charity but voluntary charity also. As advised in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 534, charity is a proof of one’s faith. Therefore, the more voluntary charity a muslim donates the stronger their faith. In addition, charity is not only given through wealth as indicated by many Hadiths, such as the one found in Sahih Muslim, number 1671. In fact, all good deeds such as praising Allah, the Exalted, commanding good and forbidding evil are considered acts of charity. One can even give charity to themself by keeping their evil away from others. This has been confirmed in a Hadith found in Sahih Bukhari, number 1445.
Giving charity is vital as a person’s heart is with their belongings. If they keep their possessions in this world they will only desire to stay with it in this material world. But if they send it ahead in the form of charity they will desire to reunite with it in the hereafter. Therefore, their attention and focus will turn towards preparing for this reunion in the hereafter.
It is important to understand a vital lesson from this verse. Allah, the Exalted, clearly indicates that any form of charity one does is only possible if Allah, the Exalted, grants the wealth to them in the first place. In fact, all good deeds are only possible through the mercy of Allah, the Exalted, in the form of knowledge of the deed, inspiration, strength, opportunity, and even the acceptance of the deed. So no one should become proud of any good deed they perform as an ounce of pride is enough to take them to Hell on Judgement Day. This is confirmed in a Hadith found in Sahih Muslim, number 266.
Those who believe in the unseen, as indicated at the beginning of this verse, serve Allah, the Exalted, through their hearts. Those who perform the bodily actions mentioned in the middle of this verse serve Allah, the Exalted, through their bodies. And those who perform financial deeds as indicated at the end of this verse serve Allah, the Exalted, through their possessions. These three elements encompass the whole being and aims of a true muslim.
PodTafseer: Al-Baqarah – Part 5: https://youtu.be/q3KLwu3N5mQ
PodTafseer: Al-Baqarah – Part 5: https://fb.watch/3IL0ROzR_p/
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